Superlatives abound when describing Costa Rica, one of Latin America's most peaceful countries. Often called the "Switzerland of Central America," it does not possess an army and boasts a stable democratic government as well as a high literacy rate. Strategically located between two great continents, it has been the benefactor of great cultural contributions from each. In addition to discovering its fascinating traditions, visitors to Costa Rica will be welcomed by friendly people and will enjoy superb scenery and an ideal climate.

Spend an unforgettable day cruising the Panama Canal, a fifty-one-mile waterway through the rainforest that is one of the world's engineering masterpieces. The ship glides down the canal with inches to spare, through locks that raise and lower it like a toy. Along the way it crosses enormous Gatun Lake, and the amazing Gaillard Cut, blasted out of a solid mountainside.

Puerto Limón, located on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, boasts a rich combination of sights, sounds and smells. Once ashore, embrace these elements as they surround you, filling your senses with the essence of this delightful port city.
The growth of the coffee market prompted the Costa Rican government to search for an Atlantic port to facilitate shipping coffee to Europe and beyond. In 1871, the port of Limón was established and what was once a migrant fishermen's village of five huts grew into an important center of commerce.
With the introduction of a rail service the following year between San José and the Atlantic coast, Limón became a thriving railroad and banana town.

On Central America's Roatan Island off Honduras, you can aim a point-and-shoot camera in almost any direction and get a beautiful picture. Skies are wide expanses of blue. Water is a transparent turquoise. Beaches are the classic smooth white, edged by lush growths of palms.

Even if you are no shutterbug, you will find many things to do. Water activities include diving, snorkeling and swimming with the dolphins. If you prefer to stay dry, you can tour the reef in a glass-bottom boat, go into town to shop for island crafts, or see the butterfly and floral gardens.

While you wouldn't necessarily associate a Central American city with Victorian architecture, Belize City indeed offers some striking examples. Several Victorian mansions have been restored and converted into inns, museums, galleries and restaurants. Other structures in the city range from British Colonial to the oldest Anglican cathedral in Central America, St. John's Cathedral.

The appeal of Belize's buildings extends to their interiors. The Marine Terminal, for instance, is a beautifully refurbished former fire station dating to 1923. Inside are two museums-the Coastal Zone Museum with displays highlighting the local reef ecology, and the Maritime Museum with a collection of paraphernalia centering on Belize's seafaring history.

Finally, and not insignificantly, is Central America's remarkable wildlife, which Belize has made a point of preserving. A short distance from the city is the Belize Zoo, which is actually more of a wildlife preserve. Its exotic species live happily in roomy, natural-looking accommodations with dense vegetation. Keep the camera ready for jaguars, as they spend much of their time hunkered down in the shade, slinking out into the open for only a momentary stretch.

Adventure, archaeology, water, sun and beach. These are all to be found in and around Costa Maya, the Caribbean's first port planned solely for cruise guests. Designed to resemble an ancient Mayan city, Costa Maya features three grand pavilions, where you can see folkloric shows, observe local artisans creating their works of art, and witness cultural and culinary events.

Within easy reach of the port are ancient cities boasting impressive temples and fascinating archeological sites. And you needn't venture far from port to enjoy a range of water sports, including diving and snorkeling amid the world's second-largest coral reef.

Just 11 miles off the eastern coast of Mexico lies Cozumel, the country's largest island and the gem of the Caribbean for water sports. Relax and bask in the sun on pristine palm-lined beaches or snorkel amid intricate coral formations at nearby Palancar Reef. On the island's west coast lies the bustling town of San Miguel, which boasts deluxe hotels, inviting shops and tempting restaurants.

Off the island of Cozumel is Playa del Carmen, your gateway to the Mayan mysteries of the intriguing Yucatán. Inland lies Cobá, a splendid reminder of a civilization that existed thousands of years ago. Closer at hand lies Tulum, a massive fortress built in 564 AD and the only Mayan site to overlook the Caribbean Sea.

In the past, Key West was the winter home of Ernest Hemingway, John James Audubon and President Truman. Today it is a stylish retreat for writers and artists.
Its atmosphere is reminiscent of the Caribbean, yet it is the southernmost town of the continental United States. Take a stroll along Duval Street, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, or explore its interesting art galleries and boutiques.

It has the largest city population in Florida, is the third most visited American city among international travelers and showcases an Art Deco Historic District encompassing one of the largest neighborhoods entered on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Miami certainly boasts its share of impressive characteristics, even before adding to the list its gorgeous beaches, spirited Cuban population and ritzy enclaves of Coral Gables and Coconut Grove.

Miami wasn't always the glamorous and energetic city you see today. Until the late 1800s, it was mostly swamp, disconnected from the rest of the country thanks to its position on the edge of the continent and lack of the essential link of the day: a railroad. All that changed in 1896, when the railroad in northern Florida was extended to the latent tropical paradise of the south.

The rest, as they say, is history, as Miami has since seen recurrent booms fueled by surges of immigration, perennially good weather and an insouciant refusal to do anything halfway. Admire the full glory of Miami Beach with a stroll along South Beach's famous Ocean Boulevard, where splendidly restored art deco buildings compete with fashion models and sun worshipers for attention. For a taste of Cuban cuisine and culture, visit Little Havana on the mainland (Miami Beach is separate both in its municipality and its geography: it sits on a barrier island four miles off the coast, and is reached by a causeway). Also outside mainland Miami are the acres of rare tropical plants nurtured to their fragrant and beautiful best in Fairchild Tropical Gardens. The aforementioned slice of heaven known as Coral Gables lies to the southwest. A gem of 1920s city planning, the city unfurls impressive boulevards and features the alluring Venetian Pool, where waterfalls and underwater caves offer the chance for a uniquely refreshing dip.

If you have come to Mexico for the beaches, Progreso is your spot. Situated on the Gulf coast, Progreso boasts a wide beach with the added attraction of a lovely oceanfront drive. If you have come to Mexico to see ruins of a lost civilization, Progreso, once again, is the place. Take the short drive down the coast to Uaymitún, where you can see recently excavated ruins. For another fascinating sight, look for the brightly colored flamingos that flock to the area.

Just 11 miles off the eastern coast of Mexico lies Cozumel, the country's largest island and the gem of the Caribbean for water sports. Relax and bask in the sun on pristine palm-lined beaches or snorkel amid intricate coral formations at nearby Palancar Reef. On the island's west coast lies the bustling town of San Miguel, which boasts deluxe hotels, inviting shops and tempting restaurants.

Off the island of Cozumel is Playa del Carmen, your gateway to the Mayan mysteries of the intriguing Yucatán. Inland lies Cobá, a splendid reminder of a civilization that existed thousands of years ago. Closer at hand lies Tulum, a massive fortress built in 564 AD and the only Mayan site to overlook the Caribbean Sea.

Adventure, archaeology, water, sun and beach. These are all to be found in and around Costa Maya, the Caribbean's first port planned solely for cruise guests. Designed to resemble an ancient Mayan city, Costa Maya features three grand pavilions, where you can see folkloric shows, observe local artisans creating their works of art, and witness cultural and culinary events.

Within easy reach of the port are ancient cities boasting impressive temples and fascinating archeological sites. And you needn't venture far from port to enjoy a range of water sports, including diving and snorkeling amid the world's second-largest coral reef.

While you wouldn't necessarily associate a Central American city with Victorian architecture, Belize City indeed offers some striking examples. Several Victorian mansions have been restored and converted into inns, museums, galleries and restaurants. Other structures in the city range from British Colonial to the oldest Anglican cathedral in Central America, St. John's Cathedral.

The appeal of Belize's buildings extends to their interiors. The Marine Terminal, for instance, is a beautifully refurbished former fire station dating to 1923. Inside are two museums-the Coastal Zone Museum with displays highlighting the local reef ecology, and the Maritime Museum with a collection of paraphernalia centering on Belize's seafaring history.

Finally, and not insignificantly, is Central America's remarkable wildlife, which Belize has made a point of preserving. A short distance from the city is the Belize Zoo, which is actually more of a wildlife preserve. Its exotic species live happily in roomy, natural-looking accommodations with dense vegetation. Keep the camera ready for jaguars, as they spend much of their time hunkered down in the shade, slinking out into the open for only a momentary stretch.

On Central America's Roatan Island off Honduras, you can aim a point-and-shoot camera in almost any direction and get a beautiful picture. Skies are wide expanses of blue. Water is a transparent turquoise. Beaches are the classic smooth white, edged by lush growths of palms.

Even if you are no shutterbug, you will find many things to do. Water activities include diving, snorkeling and swimming with the dolphins. If you prefer to stay dry, you can tour the reef in a glass-bottom boat, go into town to shop for island crafts, or see the butterfly and floral gardens.

Grand Cayman boasts endless beaches that are encircled by coral reefs teeming with an abundance of marine life. On shore, affluent colonial neighborhoods dominate the West Bay area, while the East End affords natural attractions such as spectacular blowholes and fragrant botanical gardens.
Its quaint capital, George Town, offers British charm and tempting duty-free bargains. Shopping highlights include black coral fashioned into exquisite jewelry, imported woolens, elegant china and gleaming silverware.
After shopping and sightseeing, enjoy relaxing on that magnificent crescent of sand, Seven Mile Beach.

In the past, Key West was the winter home of Ernest Hemingway, John James Audubon and President Truman. Today it is a stylish retreat for writers and artists.
Its atmosphere is reminiscent of the Caribbean, yet it is the southernmost town of the continental United States. Take a stroll along Duval Street, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, or explore its interesting art galleries and boutiques.

It has the largest city population in Florida, is the third most visited American city among international travelers and showcases an Art Deco Historic District encompassing one of the largest neighborhoods entered on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Miami certainly boasts its share of impressive characteristics, even before adding to the list its gorgeous beaches, spirited Cuban population and ritzy enclaves of Coral Gables and Coconut Grove.

Miami wasn't always the glamorous and energetic city you see today. Until the late 1800s, it was mostly swamp, disconnected from the rest of the country thanks to its position on the edge of the continent and lack of the essential link of the day: a railroad. All that changed in 1896, when the railroad in northern Florida was extended to the latent tropical paradise of the south.

The rest, as they say, is history, as Miami has since seen recurrent booms fueled by surges of immigration, perennially good weather and an insouciant refusal to do anything halfway. Admire the full glory of Miami Beach with a stroll along South Beach's famous Ocean Boulevard, where splendidly restored art deco buildings compete with fashion models and sun worshipers for attention. For a taste of Cuban cuisine and culture, visit Little Havana on the mainland (Miami Beach is separate both in its municipality and its geography: it sits on a barrier island four miles off the coast, and is reached by a causeway). Also outside mainland Miami are the acres of rare tropical plants nurtured to their fragrant and beautiful best in Fairchild Tropical Gardens. The aforementioned slice of heaven known as Coral Gables lies to the southwest. A gem of 1920s city planning, the city unfurls impressive boulevards and features the alluring Venetian Pool, where waterfalls and underwater caves offer the chance for a uniquely refreshing dip.

All itineraries and times are subject to change. Click on ports for detailed information.

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